Bermuda is known for its colours. Nature has given her shades of turquoise reflected in the sea, complemented by the pink hues of the sand nestled under the rolling waves. Flowers offer a rainbow palette against the greenery, with bright yellow kiskadees, red cardinals, bluebirds and even lizards darting from tree to tree in bursts of colour.
It’s no wonder Bermudians want their homes to reflect the natural beauty around them.
Bermudian houses famously come in a wide array of colours, dotting the landscape like a watercolour painting. So how does a homeowner know what paint to choose? Is it really up to personal preference, or is there an unspoken rule to follow? With the amount of options available in house-paint colours these days, narrowing down your choices may be the hardest part of the process. So where do you even begin? We talked to Karolina De Costa of Rowe Spurling Paint Company to find out.
Can I Pick any Colour I Want?
“When choosing a paint colour for the outside of your home I would consider personal preference and practicality,” said Karolina, who is co-owner of Rowe Spurling with her husband, Justin De Costa.
Personal preferences mean exactly that, as there is no hard rule for what’s allowed or what isn’t. “There are thousands of shades to choose from,” she said. “Short of painting your house the same colour as your neighbour’s – have fun!”
Traditionally colour choices were limited to the paint tints that were available and were more inspired by the shades found naturally around the island. Today, however, there are literally thousands of paint colours to choose from, and inspiration comes not only from nature but also from television, magazines and social media.
According to Karolina, the most popular paint choices for the outside of our homes “remain the pretty pinks, cheerful yellows, watery blues and earthy greens along with traditional terra cotta and cement wash.”
Least popular are darker colours like navy, purple, brown or charcoal.
What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
Besides personal preference, Karolina also recommends considering the practicality of certain colours when making a decision. For instance, some colours will fade faster than others in the intense Bermuda sunshine and salt air.
“Bright colours like yellow, pink and peach are beautiful but will fade much faster in our environment than softer, more muted shades like terra cotta, beige or gray,” Karolina said. “Unfortunately, the pigments necessary to create those bright beautiful shades will fade regardless of the paint they are mixed into. The only way to combat paint fading is to choose a more earthy shade that uses oxide pigments which are more resistant to fading.”
Also, white and lighter colours tend to show dirt much faster than darker shades. She recommends choosing a paint with a slight sheen or low luster finish for easier maintenance. This ensures it can be washed clean to keep even light walls looking fresh.
When asked if there is a formula used to estimate how much paint you need for your house, Karolina says generally a five-gallon paint will cover about 2,000 square feet, which is about one coat on a small cottage.
She said at least two coats are recommended for full, even coverage. “But remember,” she warned, “if you’re using a dark colour or making a big colour change – for example from white walls to dark blue walls – an extra coat may be necessary.”
Typically if the walls are prepared correctly, exterior paint should last between four and five years, depending on the colour. Before painting, Karolina advises homeowners to ensure all cracks are fixed, the plaster is allowed to cure properly and the correct primer is used.
Still, she said, don’t forget that some shades will fade faster than others and may need to be repainted more frequently.
Shutters and Trim
While there are thousands of paint colours for the exterior house walls, Karolina says you really can’t go wrong with white shutters and trim.
“Shutters and rafter feet are time consuming and expensive to paint so picking a colour that’s versatile, like white, will pair well with almost any wall paint colour.”
She said hunter green is another shade that’s popular and will pair well with exterior walls in yellow, terra cotta, shades of white or beige/grey.
Finally, Karolina offered a few pieces of advice for any homeowner looking to paint their house:
Start with a sample: Try a sample of a paint colour to make sure you like the shade before making a commitment. Frequently, home owners choose a paint colour for the outside based on a small paper swatch in the shop. Countless times, they purchase a large volume of the colour they chose, get home, start painting and realize they’re not crazy about the shade. Unfortunately, once paint is mixed there is little that can be done to alter the shade. Investing in a small tester pot is a great way to avoid regret!
Prep work: Prep work is time consuming and, let’s face it, not a lot of fun, but the more preparation is done before painting, the more durable and beautiful the paint job. Before painting, look around the house and fix any cracks, scrape off all loose paint, clean walls from salt, dirt and mildew then prime with the appropriate primer.
Keep an eye on the weather: Remember paint will need to dry thoroughly, usually for at least 24 hours, before it can be exposed to dampness or rain. Check the radar to make sure no rain clouds are heading your way so all your hard work doesn’t wash away.
Rowe Spurling Paint Co. is located at 67 St John’s Rd, Hamilton, Bermuda.
They can be contacted at 441-292-7770 or you can shop online at www.rowespurlingpaint.com
